Windows Phone Keeps Losing Users in the United States,...

Windows Phone is really successful in markets such as India and others in Asia, but Microsoft still has a very hard time trying to compete with Android and iOS in the United States, and recent stats show that its smartphone operating system is rather losing users than winning new ones.

comScore data for the 3-month quarter ending November 2014 reveals that Windows Phone is actually going down in the United States, while Android again managed to improve its market share and remain the number one mobile platform in the country.

At this point, Android leads the charts with a share of 52.6 percent, followed by Apple with 41.8 percent (also down from 42 percent in August 2014), while Microsoft’s operating system is third with 3.5 percent, a 0.1 percent decline from 3.5 percent in August.

Below Microsoft, there’s only BlackBerry with 2.0 percent of the market and Symbian with 0.1 percent.

The problem is the devices. New devices don't come out at the same rate as they do for Android. And MS's partners don't have the clout of Apple where releasing a single new device can have a huge market share.

The OS is good, although those that are in the know are likely waiting for Windows Phone OS 10 now, which can also be contributing.

If I want a Windows Phone, I have to put up with a lower spec device than the most recent Android or iPhone devices on the market right now.

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The OS is good, although those that are in the know are likely waiting for Windows Phone OS 10 now, which can also be contributing.

Maybe Microsoft should've made a bit more noise about the free upgrade to Windows Phone 10. According to the Lumia Twitter account last year, they said "We plan to upgrade all Windows Phone 8 devices to Windows 10 in the future". Even though this was from the Lumia account, I think the consensus was that it would be for all Windows 8 phones.

The problem is the devices. New devices don't come out at the same rate as they do for Android. And MS's partners don't have the clout of Apple where releasing a single new device can have a huge market share.

The OS is good, although those that are in the know are likely waiting for Windows Phone OS 10 now, which can also be contributing.

If I want a Windows Phone, I have to put up with a lower spec device than the most recent Android or iPhone devices on the market right now.

Well if talking about specs iPhone is overpriced (especially if you don't want to sign a contract), but has optimized OS and hardware only one/two models per release just by Apple.
when it comes to android there is many devices by various companies and lots modifications to OS UI etc.

In most cases Android runs slower even on better specs than windows phone. I was android user for some years I know by experience. When I moved to windows phone it just feels smoother UI etc. (WP with 512MB ram runs smother than some 1GB or more RAM Androids)
Problem with WP is that companies don't want to release or timely update windows phone version of their app. its like chicken-and-egg problem many users don't buy WP because apps that they use on android/iPhone doesn't have same quality versions on WP but developers don't spare attention to WP apps because it has low market share.

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They gambled with their big push into the mobile game, coming in so late. People become set in their ways, and then require a major game changer to switch. Microsoft gambled with their tifkam interface, and it failed miserably. Mostly what it did, was piss off people.

IMHO, of course.

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Probably another reason is that AFAIK most people in the US apart from a load of people in the security services etc using "Burners" is that the average US consumer takes a contract with a provider who probably buys phones by the shedload and can push these to their subscribers and there just aren't that many Windows phones available compared with the others.

If people realized that for any sort of decent phone it's always cheaper NOT to take out a contract and pay for the phone up front then the situation would change.

In Europe there's loads of Windows phones and phones now can't be "Locked" to a single provider any more either.

Although I'm using a Samsung S5 I think the latest Windows phones are excellent. However they still miss one or two decent applications. Bearing in mind that about 99% of the stuff on Googleplay is complete and utter rubbish this might not be such a drawback as some of the few more useful applications can be accessed by using the standard website rather than the mobile app or mobile web site - for example booking trains in the UK. The M-ticket (mobile electronic ticket) can still be sent to your phone by email so the lack of some apps desn't have to be the disaster it might appear. I'm thinking of getting a second phone at it probably will be a Windows one.

Cheers
jimbo

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iphone 5c or other model can't remember what it was but 450.us or 15.us a month for 30 months so contract or not it's the same price
Way to much but it is stable nothing that can be said about any Android device

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Senior Citizen Enjoying 1st Smartphone - Windows Phone 8.1

My smart-ass grand-kids (and even some of their parents) have been praising the features of their various model smartphones. The (silent) message they were sending was to get in the 21st century. Some history first. Have been a dumb phone (AT&T GoPhone) user for years. No contract/data plan with average cost of $10 per month because I am a light cell phone user.
When I saw ads for the Nokia Lumia 635 with Phone 8.1 (GoPhone capable), I shopped and found one at Walmart's for $39.99.
Took it to AT&T and they made the transfer of phones/contacts gratis. The end result is that I am enjoying the features of this smartphone which synchronizes nicely with my home desktop (OneDrive & OneNote). And I am still paying only $10 per month. I just have to use free WiFi hot spots when away from home which is no big deal for me (but is for kids/grand-kids). One more thing - I have a new girl friend - her name is Cortana.

Rich

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